It’s another weekend and for us that means another day to have a go at the bookies. In preparation for the weekend, we had some tips yesterday and they did fairly well. Inter and Bayern Munich won as predicted but both teams failed to do over 2.5 goals.
For the first time in ages, Lewandowski failed to score in a game for Bayern Munich and even missed a penalty yesterday night. Elsewhere, neither of Lukaku or Martinez scored for Inter in their 2-0 win over Fiorentina.
Moving straight to today’s business, a lot of games are on the cards across Europe’s top five leagues and we’ll be giving you the best of tips as we usually do.
Straight wins
Sitting just two points below the Ligue 1 (L1) top spot, in-form Lyon have lost just one of their last 20 league matches (W13, D6), with 84.62% of those wins being accompanied by a HT lead. As ever, starting well will be a priority, especially as they are the only side to have won every league fixture (of 12) in which they’ve scored first this campaign. We’re tipping them to beat a Strasbourg side in 15th position and with only one win in their last five league games. Bet365 have 1.40 odds, 1xbet have 1.41 and Bet9ja have 1.42.
Borussia Dortmund’s 3-1 win over Augsburg (Jan 30) snapped a three-match winless run (D1, L2), keeping them in the mix for Champions League qualification. Freiburg won’t come as a walkover given their recent performances in the league. However, we can see Borussia Dortmund toppling their opponents to record their second successive win. Bet365 have 1.57 odds, Bet9ja have 1.62 and 1xbet have 1.66.
Just one win in their last four Serie A (SA) matches (D2, L1), combined with their recent loss to Lazio at home (1-3), has seen Atalanta slip out of the top six. However, they are facing a Torino side sandwiched in the relegation zone and with only two wins all season. We can see Atalanta winning this one with possibly a good number of goals to go with. Bet365 have 1.40 odds, Bet9ja have 1.44 and 1xbet have 1.46.
Real Madrid saw their 11-game unbeaten run in La Liga come to an end last week when they suffered a shock 2-1 loss to Levante. It’s safe to say Atletico have ran away with the title but you never know and the defending champions will keep doing all they can to maintain the chase with their rivals. Today, Real Madrid take on bottom side Huesca and we can see no shocks today as we expect Los Blancos to win this one. Bet365 have 1.45 odds, Bet9ja have 1.54 and 1xbet have 1.57.
Returning 14 HT clean sheets from their previous 20 La Liga (LL) games, Sevilla are in firm contention to break the ‘big three’ clubs’ monopoly over the podium places, which has existed since 2013. They have won their last six competitive matches, five of which have come with a successful shutout. Sevilla welcome an inconsistent Getafe side to their home turf and we can see Julen Lopetegui’s men claiming the win today. Bet365 have 1.72 odds, Bet9ja have 1.74 and 1xbet have 1.82.
Over 2.5 goals
It’s set to be an exciting match when Aston Villa welcome Arsenal to Villa Park. Both teams will be aiming for a return to winning ways as Arsenal suffered a 2-1 loss to Wolves and Villa lost 3-1 to West Ham in midweek. Both teams have quality to score goals at both ends and we expect a good number of goals today as both teams look to move higher up on the standings. Bet9ja have 1.75 odds, Bet365 have 1.80 and 1xbet have 1.85.
An exciting game is on the cards as Juventus take on Roma. Roma needed only the 20th-30th minute period to score three goals last time out (3-1), a result which means they have netted over 2.5 goals in eight of their last nine SA wins since the start of November (W9, D2, L3). In similar fashion, Juventus have also scored at least two goals in four of their last five games. We’re expecting a game with a good number of goals with only one point and position separating both sides on the table. Bet9ja have 1.54 odds, Bet365 have 1.57 and 1xbet have 1.61.
Genoa are now unbeaten in four Serie A (SA) matches (W3, D1) for the first time since last February. A huge test awaits in the form of Napoli, who arrive at Stadio Luigi Ferraris with four wins in their last six top-flight matches (L2). The only Serie A team to score 4+ goals inside the first half in three competitive matches this term. Napoli’s offensive skills are well known, especially to a Genoa side who conceded five times inside the first 30 minutes of the second half in the reverse fixture (6-0). We expect a decent amount of goals today. Bet9ja have 1.76 odds, Bet365 have 1.80 and 1xbet have 1.88.
Schalke and Leipzig will face off in a Bundesliga match that is well primed to see goals. With five of Schalke’s seven home defeats this season seeing a 2+ goal margin, nightmares of another heavy H2H loss could plague the relegation-threatened hosts in the build up to this match. However, Leipzig have not been at their best of late and Schalke could capitalize by scoring a goal or two of their own. No matter what, we expect at least three goals today from this fixture. Bet9ja have 1.50 odds, 1xbet have 1.52 and Bet365 have 1.53.
Manchester United take on Everton in a game that has brought interesting ties over the years. This time, both teams have something to play for. The Red Devils are in a title race while the Toffees are in the push for European spots. Last time out, United humiliated Southampton by a 9-0 score-line and their confidence should be high going into this game. The Red Devils won the reverse at Goodison Park by a 3-1 score-line and Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be aiming for a revenge. Expect a good number of goals for this one. Bet9ja have 1.64 odds, Bet365 have 1.66 and 1xbet have 1.72.
Anytime Goalscorer
Ronaldo
CR7 might have turned 36 yesterday but he remains in great shape. 15 Serie A goals this season means he continues to lead the way at the top of the scoring charts. He is also in good form at the moment. He netted a first-half double in the cup win at Inter in midweek; he’s scored exactly twice in three of his last four Serie A goal-scoring outings. Against Roma, he’ll be one of the top names to get a goal or two today. Bet365 have 1.57 odds for him to score while Bet9ja have 1.80.
Haaland
Last time out, Haaland missed a penalty in Dortmund’s 3-1 victory over Augsburg. The Norwegian is always hungry for goals and you can expect he’ll be fired up to atone for that miss. He will also be motivated to move back second of the Bundesliga scoring charts only behind Robert Lewandowski. Bet365 have 1.40 odds while Bet9ja have 1.55.
Depay
The Dutchman has been on impressive form with 11 goals to his name so far. Only Boulaye Dia and Kylian Mbappe have more goals in Ligue 1 than Depay this season. Depay has been prolific and is one of the main reasons why Lyon are only two points off the top at this stage of the season. We’re backing him to score again today. Bet9ja have 2.00 odds for him to score while Bet365 have 2.05.
Calvert-Lewin
After suffering a recent goal drought, the Everton forward scored a goal against Leeds. He remains the joint second top scorer along three other players with 12 goals so far. Everton will need a big performance to get anything from United and he is one of the names that could pull the odds in their favor at Old Trafford. The bookies don’t trust him to score and that’s a surprise given that Bet9ja have 3.00 odds and Bet365 have 3.10 for him to find the back of the net.
Politiano
Politiano is perhaps one of the most in-form Napoli frontman at the moment. He also has a thing for late goals. He has netted each of his last three Serie A goals beyond the 80th minute and he is a prime candidate to get on the score-sheet once again today. Value comes with him as Bet365 are offering 3.00 odds for him to score and Bet9ja have theirs at 3.20.
Football Lover. All-round junkie of the beautiful game. Could be found watching football most of the time. If not he’s writing about them or making some punditry you don’t agree with. A certain bias for Arsenal and Santos FC.
